Merkel

In 1898, brothers Albert Oskar Merkel, Karl Paul Merkel, and Gebhard Merkel founded Gebrüder Merkel in Suhl, Germany - a city with gunmaking traditions dating to 1490. Merkel was the first to industrially manufacture over-and-under guns. After World War I, Merkel exported to 28 countries, though the company didn't fully recover until 1924. Following World War II, production resumed and in 1952 the company became state-owned under the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). After German reunification, Merkel returned to private ownership. In 2007, Merkel became a subsidiary of UAE company Caracal International. Today, Merkel is the last large brand from the old weapons city of Suhl, paying tribute to their artisans with every gun produced. Unlike many gunmakers, Merkel makes its own cold-hammer-forged barrels, which are considered among the best and are purchased by other manufacturers.